Improvement in reversible hydraulic propellers



R. G. DUNBAR.

Improvement in Reversible Hydraulic Propellers.

Patented 0ct.\15,1872..

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RANSOM G. DUNBAR, OF LOGANSPORT, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF HIS RIGHT TO ROBERT J. CONNOLLY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN REVERSlBLE HVDRULlCnPROPELLERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 132,262, dated October 15, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RANsoM G. DUNBAR, of Logansport, in the county of Cass and State of Indiana,have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Devices forPropelling Marine Vessels; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, referencebeing had to the annexed drawing making a part of this specification, and to the letters and gures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawing is arepresentation of a plan view of my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the same; Figs. 3, 4, 5, and (i, are detail views of the same.

My invention has relation to certain improvements in that class of boats which are propelled through the agency of reciprocating valves arranged Within tubes which receive water at one end and expel it from the other; and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of devices connecting said valves with their motors, and of devices whereby the valves may be turned within the tubes so as to cause the boat to move forward or backward at will, all as hereinafter more specifically described.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A designates the hull of a boat, in the bottom part of which are located the horizontal tubes B, extending from bow to stern on either side of the kelson and open at both ends. C C designate y -valves, located within the -tubes B. Each valve consists of two semicircular plates hinged to a central vertical rod, b, which passes through a slot in the tube and holds on its upper end abeveled pinion-wheel, d, engaging with a similar wheel, e, on the end of a horizontal shaft, d1. A bent plate, d2, rests on the top of the rod b, and holds the projecting end of the shaft d1, thereby connecting the rod and shaft together. D D indicate boxes arranged upon the tubes B B and containing the pinions d c. The shafts d1 play back and forth through stuffing-boxes Dl attached to the ends of the boxes D D, and, through the medium of the plates d2 and rods b transmit horizontal reciprocating motion to the valves G C. Each of said shafts is provided with a collar, f, having an arm, f f', to

which is connected a pitman, g, coupling said arm to a crank-wheel, g1. Gr designates a transverse sh aft connecting the wheels g1', and having its bearings in standards g2 rising from the boxes D D. The shafts d1 and their operating devices are so arranged that the valves shall have an alternating movementthe one moving forward while the other moves back, and vice versa. Il designates a beveled pinion on the shaft G engaging with a beveled spur-wheel, H1, on a vertical drivingshaft, H2. The shaft Gr may, however, be driven by any convenient or suitable means. I I designate toothed pinions, having collars J J and supported between and by standards K K rising from the tubes B B and located at a convenient distance from the boxes D D.

These pinions rest upon and engage with a horizontal transverse rack, L, which slides be` tween plates or frames L1, and has pivoted to its middle part or lever L2, also pivoted to the top of the frames L1. A forked handle, M, is fitted tc the top of said lever and used as a means of operating the rack and turning the pinions I I simultaneously. To increase the meshin g-surfaces of the rack and pinions the teeth may be cut obliquely, as shown. Each of the shafts all has a feather, m, and passes through the center of one of the wheels II. Said shafts slide through these pinions, but are prevented from turning by the feathers m, except when the pinions are turned. The turning of said shafts through the medium of the pinions serves to turn the valves C G. The valves C are so constructed and arranged that, as they move in the direction in which the boat is moving their wings will fall back and allow them to pass through the water easily. But as soon as the motion of the valves is reversed the wings spread out, and being prevented from turning forward lengthwise of the tubes by stops z z, lie crosswise and act against the water as paddles, thereby propelling the boat in a contrary direction from that in which they are moving. The direction of the movement of the boat is controlled by means of the devices for turning or reversing the valves. To prevent the water in the tubes from entering the boat the following-described expedient is adopted: The rods or shaftsb pass through and are secured to bars c, which slide through slots cut in the upper parts ofthe tubes. These justable lengthwise of the tubes.

What I claim as new is- 1. The rack L, pinions I I, feathered reciprocating shafts d1, gearing d e, and shaft b, in

combination with the reversible-hinged yvalves G and tubes B, substantially as specined.

2. The plates c c1, boxes c2, shafts b, reciprocatin g Valves C, and tubes B, combined substantially as specified.

Intestimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two Witnesses.

RANSOM G. DUNBAR. Witnesses:

JOHN U. NELSON, DUDLEY H. Gr-msn. 

